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2018-11-19

max answer › question first answered

2019-04-05T10:22:09.037Z

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To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had
with the Home Secretary on collaboration between the Home Office and her Department
to ensure that refugees are able to access the employment support and social security
benefits that they are entitled to.

<p>The Department for Work and Pensions is working in partnership with the Home Office
to improve processes for refugees claiming benefits. In order to achieve this aim
we have set up the Post Grant Appointment Scheme (PGAS).</p><p> </p><p>The scheme
involves contacting persons at the point when they are granted refugee status to see
if they wish to apply for benefits and require assistance to do so. If they say they
do, an appointment at a local DWP office is arranged for them.</p>

<p>Universities are autonomous from government, and consequently control the criteria
used to determine admissions. We are aware that the Russell Group, which comprises
24 of the UK’s leading universities, publishes guidance designed to assist applicants
in identifying the A level subjects most likely to facilitate entry to one of their
member universities. From engagement with the Russell Group, we understand they are
currently reviewing their guidance. The department recognises the importance of arts
subjects, including music, and students’ ability to make informed choices is at the
heart of our recent reforms to higher education. We are increasing the information
available to students to ensure they can make informed choices about what and where
to study.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are making for UK citizens
to be able to study in France after the UK has left the European Union; and what advice,
if any, they provide to those who wish to do so.

<p>We have made clear in the recent political agreement (published on 14 November)
that the UK remains committed to continued cooperation with the EU on education. In
the attached government white paper, ‘The future relationship between the United Kingdom
and the European Union[1]’, we also set out our desire to facilitate mobility for
students and young people, enabling them to continue to benefit from world leading
universities and the cultural experiences the UK and EU Member States – including
France – have to offer.</p><p>With the caveat that “nothing is agreed until everything
is agreed”, in principle the UK will continue to benefit from all EU programmes, including
Erasmus+, until the end of the current budget plan, and applications should continue
as normal. The UK is also open to exploring participation in the successor scheme
to the current Erasmus+ Programme. We welcome the attached proposals for the 2021-2027
successor scheme to Erasmus+ (published on 30 May), and are considering these carefully;
we will continue to participate in discussions on these proposals while we remain
in the EU. Ultimately, UK participation in the successor programme is a matter for
negotiations on our future relationship with the EU.</p><p>[1] The white paper can
be found via this link: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725288/The_future_relationship_between_the_United_Kingdom_and_the_European_Union.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725288/The_future_relationship_between_the_United_Kingdom_and_the_European_Union.pdf</a>.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to conduct an investigation
into the impact loot boxes in video games have on (1) underage gambling, and (2) instances
of gambling related harm.

<p>Where gambling facilities are offered, operators must have a licence from the Gambling
Commission and have controls in place to prevent underage gambling.</p><p> </p><p>Loot
boxes do not fall under gambling law where the in-game items acquired are confined
for use within the game and cannot be cashed out. However, the Government is aware
of concerns that loot boxes and other entertainment products, such as some video games,
could encourage gambling-like behaviour and longer term lead to gambling related harm,
and will continue to look closely at any evidence around this issue. We welcome the
recent introduction by the VSC Ratings Board and PEGI of a new label for video games
to warn parents where they include the opportunity to make in-game purchases.</p><p>
</p><p>In September 2018, the Gambling Commission, along with 16 other regulators
from Europe and the USA signed a declaration which outlined common concerns around
gaming and gambling. The regulators agreed to work together to monitor the characteristics
of video games and social gaming and where there is potential cross-over into gambling.</p>

<p>Our Digital Charter aims to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.
As part of this work, we will publish an Online Harms White Paper in winter 2018/19,
which will include a range of proposals including setting out how we will ensure that
parents, children and other users develop the skills they need to stay safe online.</p><p>
</p><p>Government is committed to increasing cyber security capacity across all sectors
to ensure that the UK has the right level and blend of skills required to maintain
our resilience to cyber threats and be the world’s leading digital economy.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given the proposal made
by Lord Beecham on 19 November 2013 (HL Deb, col GC376) to establish a panel to determine
whether information identifying the name of a person posting damaging or malicious
comments online should be released, particularly in relation to comments about hotel
or catering services posted on TripAdvisor.

<p>The Government is making important progress in tackling online safety issues through
the Digital Charter, which is guided by a number of principles and whose core purpose
is to make the Internet work for everyone – for citizens, businesses and society as
a whole.</p><p> </p><p>Online anonymity is an important part of a free and open internet,
providing essential protection for those who need it and allowing for many kinds of
self expression and communication that would not otherwise be possible. But being
anonymous online does not give anyone the right to abuse others or break the law.</p><p>
</p><p>In the Winter, the Government will publish an Online Harms White Paper setting
out a range of legislative and non-legislative measures to ensure tech companies take
more responsibility for the safety of their users.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with City, University
of London about the cancellation of a planned speech by the Israeli Ambassador on
21 November; and whether they have received any representations from the Office for
Students about freedom of speech at that University.

<p>​​Both the Department for Education (DfE) and Office for Students (OfS) were made
aware of the decision to defer the planned speech by the Israeli Ambassador. The DfE’s
Further Education/Higher Education coordinator has been in contact with the institution.</p><p>​Freedom
of speech is a crucial element of higher education and government and OfS are committed
to championing it and to promoting open debate and challenge. Universities are autonomous
bodies and are responsible for taking their own decisions around how to manage events
and mitigate risks; handling of individual cases is not dictated by government or
by the OfS. The OfS has powers to intervene if providers are not following their own
free speech codes of practice</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue guidance to universities on
the misuse of data protection law and non-cooperation with security requirements in
relation to upholding free speech.

<p>The previous Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation held a
free speech summit in May, where sector leaders agreed to collectively develop a single
piece of guidance. The government has worked alongside sector leaders to set out key
principles for universities and student unions managing free speech. The Equalities
and Human Rights Commission will be publishing guidance in 2019 on how to ensure that
freedom of speech within the law is upheld effectively in higher education institutions,
whilst acknowledging their other legal duties.</p><p> </p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness
of section 43 of the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 in upholding lawful freedom of speech
on university campuses following the cancellation of a planned speech by the Israeli
Ambassador at City, University of London on 21 November.

<p>The government is deeply committed to protecting freedom of speech within the law.
The freedom to express views openly, challenge ideas and engage in robust debate is
crucial to the student experience and to democracy. Individuals should never be in
a position where they can be stopped from expressing an opinion perfectly lawfully.
Institutions are required to balance risks and legal obligations with a view to ensuring
freedom of speech wherever reasonably practicable.</p><p>The Joint Committee on Human
Rights held an inquiry into freedom of speech in universities earlier this year, which
looked in detail and collected evidence in relation to upholding freedom of speech
in universities. Drawing on information from the inquiry, which found the current
regulatory landscape protecting freedom of speech to be extremely complex, the Equality
and Human Rights Commission and key partners in the higher education sector have worked
with the Department of Education to develop a single piece of guidance, which will
set out key principles. This guidance will enable universities and student unions
to understand their obligations for protecting and supporting free speech.</p>

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Office for Students is taking to encourage
universities to use unconditional and other alternative offers to widen participation
by minority groups including those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.

<p>​Widening participation is a priority for this government. We want to ensure that
everyone with the potential to benefit from a university education has the opportunity
to do so, regardless of their background or where they grew up. Significant progress
has been made in recent years; in 2018, 18-year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds
were 52% more likely to enter full-time higher education than in 2009.</p><p> </p><p>However,
we have made clear our expectation that the Office for Students (OfS) will challenge
universities to make greater progress in widening access and participation.</p><p>
</p><p>For example, we have asked the OfS to explore further the use of contextual
information in university admissions, such as whether an applicant comes from a low
participation neighbourhood or attends a school that does not send many students to
university.</p><p> </p><p>​We expect universities to use unconditional offers responsibly.
There are cases where the use of unconditional offers can be justified, however the
systematic use of unconditional offers is not in the interest of students.</p>